draw the line en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.
We are at a moment right now where people are asking themselves why can’t the Democratic Party defend this assault on democracy[…] and I would submit to you that if you can’t draw the line at genocide, you probably can’t draw the line at democracy.
2025 February 20, Juan Cole, quoting Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Ta-Nehisi Coates: If Democrats can’t draw the Line at Genocide, they can’t Draw the Line at Democracy”, in Informed Comment (juancole.com):By contrast, the British government draws the line at giving the Community a significant new role in setting minimum standards on working conditions, labor representation on corporate boards, and social affairs.
1991 December 11, Tom Redburn, “Labor Standards: Where Britain Drew the Line”, in The International Herald Tribune, →ISSN:I don't mind if they have some fun, but I draw the line at anything that might harm others.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| drawn the line | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| drawing the line | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| draws the line | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| drew the line | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Relateds
cross the line · draw a line in the sand · draw a line under · red line
Translations (11)
es trazar la línea (to set a boundary) · es fijar el linde (to set a boundary) · pl wyznaczać granicę (to set a boundary) · pl wyznaczyć granicę (to set a boundary) · da sætte grænsen (to set a boundary) · de Stopp sagen (to set a boundary) · es poner el límite (to set a boundary) · de eine Grenze setzen (to set a boundary) · es marcar la cancha (to set a boundary) · es establecer el lindero (to set a boundary) · fi vetää raja (to set a boundary)